Delta Andromedae

Delta Andromedae (δ And, δ Andromedae) is a binary star system in the constellation Andromeda. It is approximately 101 light years from the Earth. Apart from its Bayer designation, it was also given the title Delta by Elijah H. Burritt in his star atlas.^[8]

In Chinese, 奎宿 (Kuí Sù), meaning Legs (asterism), refers to an asterism consisting of δ Andromedae, η Andromedae, ζ Andromedae, ι Piscium, ε Andromedae, π Andromedae, ν Andromedae, μ Andromedae, σ Piscium, β Andromedae, τ Piscium, 91 Piscium, υ Piscium, φ Piscium, χ Piscium and ψ¹ Piscium.^[9] Consequently, δ Andromedae itself is known as 奎宿五 (Kuí Su wǔ, English: the Fifth Star of Legs.)^[10]

This is a long-period spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of approximately 15,000 days (41 years) and an overall apparent visual magnitude of approximately 3.28. The primary of the spectroscopic binary is a K-type giant.^[1][6] The secondary is believed to be relatively faint, as it has not yet been observed interferometrically. It may be either a main-sequence star of spectral type G or later, or a white dwarf. An excess of infrared radiation from δ Andromedae suggests that it is surrounded by a shell of dust.^[2]

References

External links

• The Constellation Andromeda: The Chained Maiden, web page, European Southern Observatory outreach.
• Entry at heavens-above.com.
• Image Delta Andromedae